The
approximate 150 customers of Troy Hoffman Water Corporation will be able to
phone in testimony to the three commissioners who will decide the water
company’s request for a rate increase.

The
telephonic hearing begins at 7 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on Thursday, Dec. 9.
Customers can call toll-free 1-800-920-7487. Customers will be asked to enter a
participant code, which is 76373262.

The
water utility, which serves customers in Coeur d’Alene, is seeking commission
approval to increase rates from a monthly basic charge of $5.50 to $13.31 for
up to 3,000 gallons of use. For consumption in excess of 3,000 gallons, the
company proposes an increase to $1.45 for every 1,000 gallons, up from the
current charge of 60 cents. For commercial customers, the proposed increase in
the basic charge is from $7.50 per month to $18.15 for the first 3,000 gallons.
For use in excess of 3,000 gallons the proposed increase is also from 60 cents
to $1.45 for every 1,000 gallons.

The
commission suspended the effective date of the company’s June 7 request for up
to six months to allow it time to review the application.

Concluding
its investigation, commission staff is proposing a monthly basic charge of $11.52,
compared to the company’s proposal of $13.31. Commission staff proposes a
commodity charge of $1.05 for each 1,000 gallons in excess of 5,000 gallons. The
company proposes a commodity charge of $1.45 for every thousand gallons in
excess of 3,000 gallons. For commercial customers, staff proposes $15.50 per
month for the first 5,000 gallons and $1.05 for every thousand gallons above
that.

Troy
Hoffman is requesting an increase of $58,413 to its annual revenue. Commission
staff is proposing $40,931. The commission is seeking to recover $51,300 in
expenses, while commission staff proposes $34,944.

Commission
staff also proposes that the company test the accuracy of its production flow
meter and at least 10 percent of its meters within one year of the final order
in this case. Further, staff proposes that the company review and update all
its notices, bills and other documents to be consistent with the commission’s
rules and regulations.

The
commission staff operates separately from the three commissioners who will
decide the case. The commissioners may accept, modify or reject proposals from
both the company and staff.

The
company states it is necessary to raise rates due to increased operating
expenses along with costs incurred from needed repairs and replacement of the
main pump in 2009. This is the company’s first rate increase request in 14
years.

To
listen in or to testify, customers may dial toll-free 1-800-920-7487. You will be asked to enter a “participant code,”
with is 76373262.Participants are asked to place their calls
within 10 minutes before the start of the 7 p.m. hearing although calls will be
accepted after the hearing begins. The process will then continue as follows:

After
dialing the number and entering the participant code, customers are
welcomed into the meeting and may listen to the entire hearing. The phones
of all those listening will be muted except for the person testifying.

If you would like to testify, press *1
(star one) on the phone key pad at any time and you will be placed in a
queue of those wanting to testify. When it is your turn to testify, a
prompt will say, “Ask your question.” At that time, you will be sworn in
by a commissioner, asked to state your name and address, and then be able
to offer your testimony.

If,
after indicating you want to testify you decide against testifying, push
the # (pound) key and you will be taken out of the queue.

Those
providing testimony are asked to eliminate any background noise (TV,
radio, etc.)

At
the conclusion of your testimony you may be asked questions.

Troy
Hoffman’s application is available for review on the commission’s Web site at www.puc.idaho.gov. Click on the water icon,
then on “Open Water Cases,” and scroll down to Case No. TRW-W-10-01.